PARIS.-PIASA announced the sale of an important French Photographic Collection on Wednesday 30 May 2018. The collection  assembled over a period of more than 30 years  features 47 photographic masterpieces by Brassaï, Nan Goldin, Louise Lawler, Robert Mapplethorpe, Thomas Ruff, Candida Höfer, Andres Serrano and others, each with a remarkable international provenance. Every photographer is represented by an emblematic work, with meticulous attention paid to choice of print.

ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE, THE SCULPTED BODYAmong the highlights of the collection is a series of four portraits by Robert Mapplethorpe (1946-89), also owned by the Guggenheim and MOMA in New York. They feature Ajitto, his celebrated model, photographed in the same pose from four different angles. Mapplethorpe sought perfection in form in all his portraits, from nudes to flowers. This four-part nude study (est. 90,000-120,000), with its taut muscles, reflects his quest for linear and bodily perfection. The portraits of Ajitto are greatly inspired by sculpture, and bring Rodin to mind. Photography is a quick way of creating a sculpture explained Mapplethorpe. Each print, assembled to compose this ideal polyptich of the male body, was the subject of a lengthy search by the collector.

ANDRES SERRANO, The IconoclastAndres Serrano (born 1950), hero of a solo show at the Petit Palais in Paris in 2017, is a prominent figure on the international contemporary art scene  provocatively asking the viewer to confront what he cannot see. In his famous Black Supper polyptych (est. 100,000-150,000), one of Serranos most charismatic allegories, Jesus and his apostles are submerged in a spray of effervescent bubbles exuding mystic vitality.

LOUISE LAWLER, A CONCEPTUAL APPROACHOther major works in the collection include prints by Louise Lawler (born 1947) who, alongside Jeff Koons and Barbara Kruger, is a key figure in the American 1980s movement Simulationism. Her conceptual approach involves photographs of famous works of art in their environment: museums, private collections, galleries, exhibitions, auctions or reserves. By focusing on the relationship between the work and where it is shown, Lawler questions the system of legitimizing art: the museum, the hanging and the conditions in which works are presented affect how we apprehend them. Her approach is embodied in works like Black And White from 1987 (est 80,000-100,000) and Auction II (Jackie O/ Lionskins) from 1990 (est. 50,000-60,000).

NAN GOLDIN, DOCUMENTING LIFENan Goldin (born 1953) photographs her entourage, friends and family as candidly as possible: no pose, no big intentions, just paying tribute to what they are. Ever since she was 15, Goldin has been capturing moments: an intimate couple, a drag queen, parties, solitude or, most recently, childhood. Käthe In The Tub  West Berlin (1984) and Kee at the Paramount Hotel, NYC (1995) reflect Goldins intimate photographic diary. The two photographs to be offered at PIASA reflect crude, tender, violent cross-over from Goldins personal life. For me, it is not a detachment to take a picture she says. Its a way of touching somebody: its a caress.